An Australian umpire claims New Zealand has found the secret sauce to becoming a World Cup powerhouse by taking negative energy out of the game.
The Kiwis are respected around the globe for being the good guys of cricket, but umpire Bruce Oxenford, who retired from the international panel after a 14-year stint last season, believes their serene state of mind is not simply good for the game but a potent force behind their recent form surge.
The Kiwis are Test match champions of the world after beating India in the final in England and lost the final of the 50-over World Cup to England after a countback when scores were tied.
They now have a chance to snatch another major trophy when they meet England in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup.
Oxenford has umpired them many times and their relaxed mindset, including being gracious and supportive to umpires when they make a mistake, has impressed him to such a degree he tried to adopt a similar approach.